Mediterranean Highlights (Start Madrid)

Company : Contiki
Countries: France / Italy / Spain
Duration: 1 week to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 1000 to 1500 £ Pound (UK)

Kicking off in Madrid, this 2 week trip takes you to all the coastal Med hotspots.

Flamenco dance in Barcelona, experience the glamorous French Riviera, enjoy the delights of Tuscany & walk in the footsteps of Emperors. Don't miss your picture at the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Itinerary

1 ARRIVE MADRID
Check in to your hotel and head straight out into the Spanish capital. Get ready for Madrid’s high energy lifestyle. Moving to a whole lot of different beats, Madrid is packed with diverse barrios (neighbourhoods), lively plazas and a healthy nightlife. Later, meet up with your fellow travellers and your Trip Manager, who knows Madrid’s ins and outs.

2 MADRID
Explore the highlights of Madrid.

3 MADRID TO BARCELONA
Chill out on the coach, grab your MP3 and watch the world go by. Heading towards the coast, we roll on to the Baroque city of Zaragoza, set on the banks of the Rio Ebro. Next up: dynamic Barcelona.

4 BARCELONA
First stop: Montjuic. The hilltop has full-blown vistas of the city and it’s where we stop to check out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Afterwards, get a look into Spanish architect Gaudi’s wild imagination with his Art Nouveau masterpiece, the Sagrada Família church. Your Trip Manager walks you through the cobbled lanes of Barcelona’s oldest district, the Gothic Quarter. There’s free time to discover more of Barcelona’s creative core.

5 BARCELONA TO AVIGNON
Unwind on the coach and take in the rustic beauty of Provence, known for its pretty landscapes of lavender, sunflowers and wild herbs. A night in Avignon means you’ll get a real taste of the Provencal lifestyle and look into the town’s Roman heritage. Wander through the cobbled streets or relax with a glass of pastis (aniseed liqueur) within the city’s walls. Learn about the city’s past as a spiritual superpower when you see the impressive Papal Palace.

6 AVIGNON TO FRENCH RIVIERA
Drop by stunning Aix-en-Provence for lunch and check out the historic Cours Mirabeau, the town’s lively central area, busy with cafes, fountains and people. Then it’s back on the road to the rugged coast line of the stunning Côte d’Azur. Follow the beautiful sapphire waters past the movie-star glamour of Cannes (famous for its annual film festival), to sunny Nice. Tonight get a taste of the high life in Monaco, the glamourous principality packed into just 1.92km2 and home to the Formula 1.

7 FRENCH RIVIERA
In your free time live a bit of the lifestyle with a visit to the local markets. Try out the region’s produce like lavender honey, aioli (garlic mayonnaise) and mouth-watering rosé wine.

8 FRENCH RIVIERA TO PISA
Today, journey to the national park and UNESCO World Heritage site of Cinque Terre, where colourful coastal villages dot 18km of ragged cliffs and old walled vineyards reach the water’s edge.

9 PISA TO FLORENCE
This morning, take advantage of free time in Pisa and get up close to its most famous monument, the Leaning Tower. Roll on to Renaissance Florence.

10 FLORENCE
Jump start the day uncovering this open-air museum. Our local guide gives you the inside track as the group learns about Florence’s cultural beginnings and explores streets crammed with artworks from masters like Michelangelo.

11 FLORENCE TO ROME
Today, we get out into the fabulous Tuscan countryside, known for its iconic cypress trees and delicious olive oil. Spend the morning in San Gimignano, the stunning hill-top town that is often dubbed “Medieval Manhattan”. Next up: vibrant Rome.

12 ROME
Make the most of our Local Guide’s inside knowledge and uncover the remains of an ancient empire with a fantastic optional tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Then check-out the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope, the Vatican City.